Nationwide Rally for Religious Freedom

What: Nationwide Rally for Religious FreedomWhen: March 23, 2012 at noon (local time)Where: Over 130 locations throughout the county

Friday, March 23, 2012, at noon (local time) a Nationwide Rally for Religious Freedom will be held outside federal buildings, Congressional offices and historical sites across the country in an effort to stand up against the Obama administration’s HHS mandate and for Religious Freedom.

The theme for the Rally is “Stand Up for Religious Freedom - Stop the HHS Mandate!”

These peaceful (non-partisan, ecumenical and family-friendly) rallies were organized by the Pro-Life Action League and the Citizens for a Pro-Life Society to oppose the HHS mandate. Thousands of Americans from all faiths are expected to participate.

What will happen at these rallies?

“Religious leaders and other public figures will speak out against the HHS Mandate at each Rally site. Holding signs reading “Stand Up for Religious Freedom” and “Stop the HHS Mandate,” participants will offer hymns and prayers for our nation and pass out literature to the public about why the HHS Mandate is unconstitutional and un-American.” -- From the Stand Up for Religious Freedom website.

The HHS mandate would require employers to provide health care plans that include coverage for free contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. The HHS mandate includes a religious exemption, but it is so narrow that it would exclude Catholic charities, hospitals and schools. So, these institutions would essentially be forced to provide services that are in direct opposition of our Catholic faith and Catholic teachings. This will not only impact Catholic employers, but institutions run by other religious organizations as well.

This mandate threatens our religious freedom and our freedom of conscience. It is simply wrong to force religious institutions to provide services that go against their teachings, no matter what the service or which religious organization. Our country was built on freedom, and many men and women have defended our country - even given their lives - for these freedoms. For our current president and his administration to be threatening our religious freedom is beyond appalling, and quite frankly, very scary.

If this mandate presses forward and religious institutions are forces to offer services that go against what they believe (or be forced to close their doors), what’s next? What freedom will we lose next? And then what?

We need to take action!

Friday, March 23rd will provide such an opportunity throughout our county.